Does the Body Remember? Understanding the Connection Between Emotional Experiences, the Nervous System and Bodily Responses

When we think of memory, we usually imagine an event that can be described in words: what happened, where we were and who was there. Yet not all learning is expressed as a conscious memory.

Implicit Memory refers to the effects of past experiences on behavior and performance, even when we do not consciously recall them. For example, a person who has learned to ride a bicycle can do so without thinking about each movement separately. Certain emotional responses may also be influenced by learning that does not require explicit recollection. Therefore, when we say that the body remembers, it is more accurate to refer to the influence of past experiences on the activity of the nervous system and on patterns of response.

Our physical behavior develops throughout life through learning, habits and environmental demands. A person who spends many hours working at a computer may develop certain postural habits. Someone who experiences tension while performing in front of an audience may tense their neck and shoulder muscles. When a behavior is repeated frequently, it may become a familiar pattern. However, there is no scientific basis for claiming that a particular body posture necessarily indicates a repressed emotion or a traumatic experience.

Tense shoulders, for example, may be related to work habits, pain, fatigue or emotional tension. Observing the body can therefore raise therapeutic questions, but it does not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn about a person’s past.

Touch is a sensory and interpersonal experience. The meaning we give it is influenced by the context, how close we are to the person touching us, our sense of control and personal preferences. The same touch may feel pleasant and calming to one person, but uncomfortable or threatening to another. Even for the same person, the response to touch may change depending on their state and the circumstances.

In a hands-on treatment, for example, a sense of safety may be influenced by the ability to choose which areas are treated, ask for a change in pressure or stop the touch at any moment. An emotional response to touch does not prove that a hidden traumatic memory exists, and it should not be interpreted without sensitive, respectful exploration with the patient.

Breathing is an automatic physiological process, but it is also influenced by physical activity, emotional states and conscious attention. During excitement or fear, for example, the rate and depth of breathing may change. These changes affect the sensations we experience, and sometimes also the way we interpret the situation. Awareness of breathing can help us become familiar with our personal response patterns and explore whether a gentle change in breathing rate contributes to a sense of comfort. However, breathing exercises are not equally suitable for everyone. For some people, especially those who are sensitive to bodily sensations, focusing on breathing may increase discomfort.

Sometimes claims are made that trauma is "trapped in the muscles" and can be released by applying pressure to a particular area of the body. These claims are not sufficiently supported by scientific evidence.

Massage may help reduce pain or muscle tension in the short term, improve comfort and provide a pleasant experience of touch, depending on the person’s condition. However, there is no evidence that massage releases traumatic memories stored in tissues or replaces trauma-focused psychological treatment. If an emotional response arises during a hands-on treatment, it is important to allow the patient to choose whether to address it, continue the treatment or stop. There is no need to encourage crying, interpret sensations or try to evoke memories as part of the treatment.

The ability to learn is not limited to thoughts and behaviors. Movement skills, postural habits and our responses to sensory experiences may also change.

A person who previously felt uncomfortable during every hands-on treatment may, under suitable conditions and at their own pace, discover that some forms of touch feel pleasant. Another may learn to recognize fatigue earlier and choose to rest before becoming exhausted.

Changes like these do not require uncovering an early memory or finding a psychological explanation for every sensation.

The body reflects physiological processes, habits, medical conditions and sometimes also the effects of emotional experiences. However, a person’s life story cannot be read from their muscles, posture or response to touch.

Understanding the connection between body and mind does not require combining psychotherapy with hands-on treatment. Each field has its own goals, tools and professional boundaries.

Recognizing that emotional experiences may influence bodily responses allows us to consider the person more broadly, without assigning a hidden psychological meaning to every sensation.

Listening to the body can broaden self-awareness, provided that it is accompanied by curiosity, caution and respect for personal experience.